Related to the common soybean, glycine was introduced to Hawaii after a massive kikuyu grass dieback in the 1970s, according to the Maui Invasive Species Committee. The Soil Conservation Service, now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, recommended the tropical vine for pasture improvement and forage for ranches. It has since grown out of control and blankets signs, highway guard rails, and old structures, like this one seen last month.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo